Why Fall Is the Time for Facial Resurfacing with Lasers

The roads get resurfaced in the spring, but fall is the time for facial laser resurfacing. Facial laser resurfacing is done with lasers and is much like it sounds. Light energy that is absorbed by the skin either injures or destroys (depending on the type of laser) a few layers of skin causing the skin to create new skin. This is best done in the fall when there are few days of summer sun remaining and it will be six months for intense heat and sun to return. It is best to avoid persistent heat and significant radiation from the sun six months after laser resurfacing procedures to ensure best results.

Laser resurfacing of the face can be ablative (destroy) or non-ablative (injure) in nature. Destruction of layers of skin will result in more robust results as far as collagen induction, smoothing lines and wrinkles and tightening the skin. This destructive skin resurfacing is usually done by a CO2 laser with one treatment and a patient will have three to five days of downtime. Downtime means staying home to give the skin a chance to heal. With appropriate measures, it is safely done in a doctor’s office with mild discomfort. CO2 Laser Resurfacing is appropriate for those with significant signs of aging who are willing to take the necessary steps to get their skin healthier and avoid intense sun exposure for 6 months.

The type of laser procedure that injures the skin, but does not destroy it, is called non-ablative skin resurfacing. The heat from this type of light energy will tighten skin as well as stimulate collagen to treat mild to moderate fine lines and wrinkles but will require a minimum of three treatments. There will not be significant downtime after each treatment as special post-procedure make-up can be used the following day. This procedure is also done safely in a doctor’s office with mild discomfort when appropriate measures are taken.

We asked Dr. Nicole Norris of Nicole Norris MD Medical Spa in Peru, IL about laser resurfacing in her office. “Laser resurfacing is one of the most gratifying procedures that I do. When a patient decides to have laser resurfacing, they make a long-term commitment to their skin health and agree to protect it from harmful UVA and UVB radiation. This commitment pays off in one to three months after their laser resurfacing procedure with significant reversal of all signs of aging. It is not an immediate result like Botox TM or filler, but it is a longer lasting and more natural result. When I injure or destroy the skin on the face, neck and or décolleté with a laser, the body must heal it and so it is impossible for the body to create an “overdone” result. I tell my patients that when the body creates its own collagen, this collagen lasts years versus synthetic collagen (filler) which lasts an average of a year and only improves signs of aging in one specific location. The type of laser resurfacing that I recommend, Ablative vs. Non-ablative, usually depends on the amount of aging that needs to be reversed and the amount of downtime that a patient can afford. The risks of laser resurfacing procedures are minimal if patients are compliant with my requests to avoid unprotected sun exposure six months and compliant with the regimen that I put them on immediately before and after the procedure. I would encourage anyone with aging skin concerns to consider laser resurfacing as a natural way to turn back the hands of time.”

Nicole Norris MD Medical Spa is offering 50% off your laser resurfacing consultation in September 2019. If you book your procedure before the end of 2019, you will also receive 20% off your laser resurfacing package. Call 815-780-8264 to book your appointment with Dr. Norris to learn more and see which type of laser resurfacing is right for you.